RATMOFANF: Chapter 19

 Glossary

· Li Ling (李陵): The Heir of the Zhenguo Duke Manor.

·Shen Jingxiu (沈静姝): The female protagonist, Li Ling's wife.

·Chang Gongzhu (长公主): The Princess, Li Ling's mother.

·San Guniang (三姑娘): The Third Young Lady, Li Ling's younger sister.

·Ju Momo (菊嬷嬷): The Princess's personal maid.

·Ziyun (紫云): Shen Jingxiu's personal maidservant.

·Shuǐ Zhuāng (Water Estate): The area containing water features.

·Bǎihuā Zhuāng (Hundred Flowers Estate): The area dedicated to rare flowers.

·Niǎoshòu Zhuāng (Birds and Beasts Estate): The area for rearing animals.

·Línmù Zhuāng (Forest Estate): The area planted with precious trees.

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Chapter 19: He Said She Was Like a Little Hedgehog

This garden was originally an imperial palace built during Emperor Wu's reign, covering over one hundred qǐng (approximately 6.67 hectares) of land. It contained four main estates: Shuǐ Zhuāng, Bǎihuā Zhuāng, Niǎoshòu Zhuāng, and Línmù Zhuāng.

The Shuǐ Zhuāng was where Jingxiu resided at Xièshuǐ Jū. Within it lay a boundless lake, a waterfall over one hundred zhàng (approximately 3.3 meters) high, and a natural hot spring. The Bǎihuā Zhuāng was planted with all manner of rare flowers and unusual grasses—spring orchids, summer lotuses, autumn chrysanthemums, winter plums—a brilliant display of color in all four seasons. The Niǎoshòu Zhuāng reared various wild animals, exotic birds, and fine, noble steeds; any single superior steed from the Hundred-Horse Stables was worth ten thousand gold. The Línmù Zhuāng was likewise planted with several hundred species of precious and rare trees.

With winding pavilions, towering buildings, flowering trees and flowing water, it was truly a paradise on earth.

As it was summer, the Shuǐ Zhuāng was the coolest place to visit. The matron guiding them brought the party to the Shuǐ Zhuāng where Jingxiu resided. The three of them toured for most of the day but had seen less than one-tenth of the Shuǐ Zhuāng's scenery.

By wǔ shí (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM), the sun was high. The Princess ordered a feast to be laid out in the pavilion of the lakeside waterside structure, and the mother, daughter, and daughter-in-law dined there.

The midday meal was, naturally, extremely sumptuous—dragon livers, phoenix marrow, fowl, and seafood, all prepared by the imperial chefs retained within the gardens.

The Princess picked up her chopsticks, tasted a bite, and praised, "The dishes today are quite flavorful."

Ju Momo, serving at her side, said with a smile, "These are all things Your Highness eats regularly. It's just that you are in good spirits today, so they seem more pleasing to your palate."

The Princess said, "That is likely the reason. Since you also perceive my good mood today, send someone to fetch some wine. It has been quite some time since this Princess last drank."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Ju Momo hurriedly advised, "Your Highness, that will not do. The imperial physicians have repeatedly warned that your heartache condition cannot tolerate alcohol."

The Princess had long suffered from heart pain, something Jingxiu had also been aware of in her previous life. She had heard that for this illness, the current Emperor had searched throughout the world for famous doctors on her behalf, yet without significant improvement.

The Princess waved a hand. "It is of no consequence."

As Ju Momo prepared to dissuade her further, the Third Young Lady, seeing her mother's rare good spirits, said, "Nanny, do not advise against it further. An occasional drink once won't cause great harm."

Having witnessed the Princess in such high spirits in neither of her lifetimes, Jingxiu also added her persuasion. "Nanny, just bring a pot of lighter fruit wine. We will not let Mother drink too much."

The Princess looked at Ju Momo with a smile. "Go and fetch it. It is of no consequence."

Seeing the Princess's determination, Ju Momo could say no more. Within moments, the wine was brought.

The three ate and drank. Although the Princess was not particularly talkative, accompanied by her lively, outgoing daughter and her attentive, considerate daughter-in-law, she spoke noticeably more. At moments of high spirits, she even laughed aloud occasionally.

Ju Momo, who had watched the Princess grow up, felt complex emotions witnessing this scene.

In her youth, the Princess had been bright and vivacious, beloved by the Emperor, married to a satisfactory and good husband, with both sons and daughters—her life had been so smooth and delightful. It was a pity that after that incident occurred, and she fell out with the Zhenguo Duke, she was never again the same as before.

In her heart, Ju Momo understood clearly: the Princess's lively heart had died completely from the moment she learned of the Zhenguo Duke's betrayal.

After the meal, the Princess showed signs of weariness. Jingxiu and the Third Young Lady were also tired. The three were led by their maids back to their respective quarters.

Having toured for most of the day, she had perspired. Jingxiu, who was naturally fond of cleanliness, summoned Ziyun to draw hot water. After bathing comfortably, she went to bed to rest.

Within moments, she had sunk into a deep sleep.

When she awoke, the sky had already darkened. The lingering light of the setting sun streamed through the window, casting a soft glow within the room.

Jingxiu stretched languidly, lingering lazily in bed without rushing to rise.

"Awake?" A clear, cool voice made the unprepared Jingxiu startle.

Jingxiu turned her head to look. It was Li Ling.

He was sitting in a round-backed chair near the bookcase, holding a scroll, clearly having been inside for some time.

Jingxiu sat up. "When did you return?"

Li Ling set down the book, walked over, and sat on the edge of the bed. "I returned a while ago. I saw you were sleeping soundly and did not disturb you."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

As he spoke, he moved closer to the bed, lay down fully clothed, and pulled Jingxiu into his embrace. "I heard from Ziyun that you accompanied Mother to tour the gardens today."

Jingxiu replied that she had.

Li Ling was silent for a moment. "Mother... likes you quite a bit. That is rare."

Hearing this, Jingxiu broke free from his embrace and sat up. She glared at him. "What do you mean by that? Are you saying I am unlikable?"

Seeing her displeasure, Li Ling hastily explained, "Why would you think that? I meant that Mother is not an especially easy person to get along with. Those she likes are few and far between. For her to be willing to spend time with you is extremely rare."

Jingxiu shot him a withering look, a hint of self-satisfaction in her tone. "That shows I am exceptional, making it difficult for people not to like me."

Seeing her expression soften, Li Ling breathed a sigh of relief. He pulled her back, letting her rest against his chest, half-closing his eyes as he said, "You are like a little hedgehog. You appear soft and delicate, but at the slightest displeasure, you raise your quills."

Jingxiu retorted, "You're the one who's like a hedgehog!"

After a moment of silence, she added, as if speaking to herself, "If I weren't a bit formidable, wouldn't I be bullied to death by you?"

Li Ling chuckled. He cupped her chin, lifting her head to meet her gaze. "How could I bully you?" He paused, then added, "What I fear most now is seeing you angry."

"It's good that you know to be afraid," Jingxiu said, breaking away from him to lie back on her pillow.

After a while, Li Ling embraced her again. She had drunk wine at noon, and though she had slept, a faint blush still lingered on her cheeks, indescribably enchanting.

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Li Ling could not help himself and began to undo her garments.

Jingxiu half-heartedly resisted, saying, "Did you come all this way just for this?"

Li Ling found himself thinking that if he hadn't married, he would never have known he could be so consumed by desire. Before, when drinking and carousing with friends, hearing them talk about "the most soul-stirring pleasures being in the land of tenderness," he had thought them lacking in self-control.

Before marriage, he had never been with another woman—partly because the Li family had strict rules against sons indulging in women, and partly because he had no interest in them.

But since marrying and becoming involved with this Shen woman, it was as if he had been bewitched, unable to stop himself.

Whenever he was alone with her, he always wanted her.

Suddenly being questioned like this by his wife, Li Ling felt a twinge of shame: in her eyes, he must seem like a libertine, shouldn't he exercise more restraint?

Though his mind thought this, his body still took her, uncontrollably.

Afterward, he held her as they sank into a deep sleep, waking only when the moon hung over the willow tops.

Having drunk during the day and slept for much of the afternoon, Jingxiu felt parched. In their current state, she was too embarrassed to call Ziyun in to attend to them, and too lazy to get up herself to fetch water. She pushed at Li Ling, saying, "I'm thirsty. Go pour me some tea."

This was the first time Li Ling had ever been ordered about like this. He was momentarily taken aback, staring blankly at Jingxiu.

Jingxiu pouted. "You exhaust me like this every day. Is it too much to ask you to pour me a cup of tea?"

Li Ling smiled, got up, went to the table, poured a cup of tea, and brought it to Jingxiu. She was extremely thirsty and drained it in one go.

"Would you like more?" Li Ling asked.

Jingxiu nodded. Li Ling poured another cup. Having already quenched her thirst with the first, she sipped slowly at half of this second cup, then dabbed her lips delicately with a handkerchief. Looking at Li Ling, she said, "Thank you."

Li Ling felt like laughing but feared provoking the little hedgehog again. He simply took the cup from her and returned it to the table.

(End of Chapter)

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